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Seattle Signs TJ Houshmandzadeh to 5 Years, $40 Million

 

Program this into your Google spell check Seahawks fans: Houshmandzadeh and the alternate spelling HOUSHMANDZADEH!! Seattle has landed the marquee free agent wide receiver and for only ridiculously too much money! When intestine twisting, brain damage inducing, freakin'-third-world-GDP money seemed so likely. That's a lot of skrill as  3323542433_b5ca7250c7_s_medium would say. The deal is for 5 years, $40 million with $15 million guaranteed. Extending his contract and overall dollar amount, but in practical terms, undercutting his desired salary. I don't know the exact terms, but I'd bet that it's a masterpiece of a contract. Figure, Matt Hasselbeck and Walter Jones come off the books in 2011, freeing up about $19 million in space. Seattle gives Houshmandzadeh a decent sized signing bonus, a fair salary the next two seasons, and then a monster roster bonus in 2011. The cap hit gets spread to accommodate Seattle's needs, the team is never really pinched, and after 2011, Houshmandzadeh's age 34 season, he's off the books.

By then he's going to be an excellent slot receiver in the Bobby Engram mold. Until then, Houshmandzadeh is the kind of sometimes explosive, difficult to cover, almost transcendent possession receiver a team can build a passing attack around. Expect immediate returns in Seattle's ability to convert third and medium/long. Expect to suddenly understand how bad Nate Burleson was. But know this is extremely exciting, but not worth a damn unless Seattle fixes its pass protection, starting at tackle (adios Ray Willis), and starts a starter caliber quarterback. Housh is a great target for a healthy Matt Hasselbeck. A great mid-range threat that's reliable and where he's supposed to be. We know how the Objectivist despises the weak and undisciplined, preferring the hard certainty of a sack to fuzzy routes of Courtney Taylor.

Signing Houshmadzadeh is a bridge from now to Seattle's next window. It could be the bridge that allows Seattle to make an improbable run behind a resurgent Hasselbeck. It could be the bridge that softens the landing for a young quarterback. Whichever, it's a good move, for too much money, but only money and not draft picks, that won't save the franchise, doesn't mortgage the future, but will make Sundays a whole lot more excellent.

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Of course if Hasselbeck falls apart this season

does this mean we’re screwed for 2009? And with this in mind, does that mean drafting a stud OT or a possible stud QB is our #1 priority (besides safety).

by LantermanC on Mar 2, 2009 4:00 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

HAHAHA wow

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on Mar 2, 2009 6:12 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

The new SBN format links us to "I Hope You Like Rain, Housh-bag."

You stay classy, Minnesota.

Also, nice use of the vampire thug baby.

by abender20 on Mar 2, 2009 4:02 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

I totally have a morning jog with starbucks in hand and grunge on the ipod

Insults should consist of negative statements, not stereotypes everybody takes pride from.

by Ezzra on Mar 2, 2009 5:36 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Rain > Snow

Since T.J. played at Oregon State, I’m sure he is completely unaware of the weather patterns in Seattle. What the F was he thinking?!?!?!

by J.L. White on Mar 2, 2009 7:34 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Whoo-Hoo!

A season with a bit more hope infused. I wonder if “Houshmandzadeh” will fit jersey-style on my tall, thin frame. Get to printing those suckers! I’m ready to try one on.

by Misfit74 on Mar 2, 2009 4:03 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Chubby!

NEEDS MORE FREEDOM!

by Scruffy Lefty on Mar 2, 2009 4:03 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Any idea

how this affects the draft?

by Stoiz on Mar 2, 2009 4:07 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

I just haven't warmed up

You could do a LOT worse than the next Jay Cutler. I can’t shake the feeling that Stafford will the be the QB that whets the appetite with skills, but who always throws the big pick against the better teams.

"Those who fear disorder more than injustice inevitably produce more of both." -- Rev. William Coffin

by dcrockett17 on Mar 2, 2009 4:17 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, but every once in a while

that guy can put together three amazing years winning the MVP in all three of those years while winning a superbowl and losing one.

by LantermanC on Mar 2, 2009 4:19 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Or JaMarcus Russell

That is the other side of the coin.

by germpod on Mar 2, 2009 4:20 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I think Stafford projects as better than Russell

I saw a LOT of him. (Disclaimer: I work for University of S. Carolina and pretty much hate all things UGa.) He really can make any throw with velocity and precision. He takes a lot of bad throws though, and guys don’t grow out of that gunslinger mentality often.

"Those who fear disorder more than injustice inevitably produce more of both." -- Rev. William Coffin

by dcrockett17 on Mar 2, 2009 4:37 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

His decision-making is terrifying.

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on Mar 2, 2009 4:50 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

We aren't grabbing both.

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on Mar 2, 2009 5:44 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Nevermind I get it.

But I was talking about Stafford, not Russell. Russell’s problem is his slow release.

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on Mar 2, 2009 5:45 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

DE

I am thinking Brian Orakpo from Texas. Premium position, big school, and solid production.

by germpod on Mar 2, 2009 4:17 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Are the knee red-flags real? How concerning?

Do you think Jason Smith is gone by our pick?

by Misfit74 on Mar 2, 2009 4:28 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I will have to look further into that

but knee injuries are always a red flag. Both for the damage done and because, shoot, that player doesn’t know how to protect his knees.

by John Morgan on Mar 2, 2009 4:33 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Trading down.

We still need another wideout, and this is a good year for receivers (Robiskie late first round). Safety Chung 2nd round anyone?

Cogito Ergo Sum

by censor1979 on Mar 2, 2009 5:25 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Bummer

I was really warming up to Robiskie

by Nate Dogg on Mar 2, 2009 4:19 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I was thinking a trade down is more likely

"Those who fear disorder more than injustice inevitably produce more of both." -- Rev. William Coffin

by dcrockett17 on Mar 2, 2009 4:16 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I don't really understand the fear of losing Willis...

I mean, couldn’t we get someone better than Willis with our 1st round pick, or someone just as good with our 2nd round pick, or a guy with potential in the third? As far as I know, Willis isn’t projected to start this season, Lock is still ahead of him on the depth chart, so the interest in Willis is depth and future. We should try to resign him, but he seems pretty replaceable to me.

I could easily be talking out of my ass, though, so I’m looking for an explanation of his importance.

by sev79 on Mar 2, 2009 4:28 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Willis flashed a lot of promise last season

and is very talented. His problems against edge rushers are for real, but the real shame is that Seattle looks to be losing him just as he’s emerging. Seattle maybe could get someone as good as him with our second round pick, but then we’ve spent our second round pick. And Walter Jones is a question mark whatever the rosy portrait painted by Holmgren. So losing Willis costs Seattle a potentially good player at a position of need.

by John Morgan on Mar 2, 2009 4:32 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Now let's say Walt and/or Lock gets injured like they both did last season.

And Willis is gone. Who do we have to replace them? Pork Chop? Kyle Williams?

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on Mar 2, 2009 4:52 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

True, and John makes good points too.

Now say we resign Willis and use our 1st round pick on a OT. There are four starter-caliber tackles on the roster. Great for depth, obviously. I just wonder if keeping Willis around as a great backup is possible much longer without overpaying him for riding the bench. Seems like the mark of a good backup tackle is 1) talented and 2) cheap. When he’s no longer cheap, he either needs to start or go elsewhere.

by sev79 on Mar 2, 2009 5:04 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Maybe you could get someone better

but you have someone good and he won’t cost as much and it keeps your options open in the draft.

by Nate Dogg on Mar 2, 2009 7:06 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

If this leads to Eugene Monroe at #4 instead of Crabtree, I'm all for it.

Unless the Rams don’t take Jason Smith. Between this and Cole, my fever dream of the next big Walt may be a reasonable reality.

by Doug Farrar on Mar 2, 2009 4:33 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Does anyone know where to find scouting reports on Big Walt from college?

I think it would be interesting to look back at past scouting reports and see if any ‘concerns’ are false red flags, or at least disproportionate.

by LantermanC on Mar 2, 2009 4:35 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

The only ding he had was that he was a JuCo transfer...

…other than that, it was All Systems Go after his Combine. I’ve read that Howard Mudd (the now Colts and then Seahawks line coach) pretty much threatened assault if the team didn’t take Jones in the first round.

by Doug Farrar on Mar 2, 2009 4:40 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Howard Mudd is/was such a badass.

I miss him.

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on Mar 2, 2009 4:52 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I'd like to trade down

But I think OT is the way we are headed. I don’t see any way we sign Stafford, I just don’t see it happening. Why are we spending so much money on players who won’t even be as effective by the time Stafford has a handle of our offense? Doesn’t make any sense to me.

An OT sets us up to draft a QB next year as well, plus immediately improves our line this season. Does signing a 32 year old WR really seem like a rebuilding teams priority?

I really do like Orakpo and Curry but the need isn’t there, OT is a need and a BPA possibility as well.

I like Monroe or Jason Smith. Monroe out of the two of them though.

Let's go.

by J Hens on Mar 2, 2009 4:34 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

A team should never be fully rebuilding or fully contending

Even the Lions re-signed Culpepper. A team should always be building towards the future while fielding the best team possible without mortgaging the future.

by John Morgan on Mar 2, 2009 4:37 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I agree definitely

But does investing money in players who won’t be around make much sense when drafting your QB of the future? Especially with the money a QB demands, sitting behind one that’s already getting paid.

Especially with the opportunity to draft a blue chip offensive linemen, who won’t have to sit, that and a player at the calibre at the OT position isn’t exactly something we’ll have another opportunity at for awhile either.

Let's go.

by J Hens on Mar 2, 2009 4:46 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Ok Field Gullians

I got 90 minutes of sleep last night on account of my cat Houdini’s life threatening urinary tract obstruction, so crack one open for me—I’m hittin the hay.

by John Morgan on Mar 2, 2009 4:48 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

That game was awesome.

Though Palmer completely shredded our secondary to bits.

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on Mar 2, 2009 5:28 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

The weirdest thing about that game...

…is that apparently Branch, Engram, and Burleson were all healthy simultaneously and they each caught a touchdown.

by sev79 on Mar 2, 2009 5:30 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

no, that wasn't weird

in that game the Bengals LB were like the Seahawks’ DB for the Dallas playoff game- street free agents pulled in for that week because of injuries. I remember John holding the bar at like 150 yards to prove that Alexander hadn’t lost it.

by Will Kier on Mar 2, 2009 6:00 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Well he got like 30 in the first half and then basically got his yards in bunches, mostly without really helping the team in the second half

I remember being shocked to see “100” on the rushing yards part of the board at the end of the game.

Yesterday's Pants
A blog-thingy about the Mariners and stuff.

by BrettJMiller on Mar 2, 2009 6:24 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

THis.

Yesterday's Pants
A blog-thingy about the Mariners and stuff.

by BrettJMiller on Mar 2, 2009 11:11 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

That was the closest thing we had to a shootout since the Baltimore game of 2003.

Or the Giants game of ’05.

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on Mar 2, 2009 5:46 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I was at that game!

I remember hating TJ with a passion that day.

Yesterday's Pants
A blog-thingy about the Mariners and stuff.

by BrettJMiller on Mar 2, 2009 6:23 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

That sound you hear is every Mock Draft GM going OH CRAP

There`s going to be a lot of shuffling on draft boards in the next few days.

by djafrot on Mar 2, 2009 6:42 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Heh. I didn't think of that. You're right.

Even though, most are crap, I still get entertained by them. The main thing they do is help me learn about and gauge players that I want to look into more. The NFP’s latest one makes me wonder if they even know who anyone on our roster is.

And we’re not taking Raji.

by Misfit74 on Mar 2, 2009 8:17 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

the thing that gets me is it looks like a good 2/3 of them say we'd have drafted Crabtree

This is going to really screw things up.

Maybe, just maybe… we draft Crabtree anyhow, and let Burleson or Branch walk? TJ and Crabtree could be the best WR pairing in the league.

by djafrot on Mar 2, 2009 9:24 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

i still think we grab him if he grades out as BPA

with Housh at 31, Branch at 29, Burleson 27, and then all the younger guys who haven’t showed anything, Crabtree would have plenty of time to ease himself into that #1 receiver role. He’s only 21 years old, and year or so learning the offense, will have him producing just as one or two of the other guys will be getting released. Ruskell has shown before that he’s not afraid to stack a position if opportunities arise, especially if one has shown to be a problem area the year before (ie safeties two years ago, running backs last year).

by B.B.Finnegan on Mar 2, 2009 9:35 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

one more thing:

I’m no cap guy, but it appears like TJ’s contract is big for a few years and then he’s cuttable/restructurable. Should we draft Crabtree, his contract would start small now and get bigger over the years… maybe not ridiculously big until TJ is gone?

Of course, this doesn’t factor in Burly or Branch’s contracts.

by djafrot on Mar 2, 2009 10:12 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

How could he grade out as the BPA with a hairline fracture in his foot, recovering from surgery, and not having been able to perform any pre-draft workouts?

There’s no way the Seahawks pick this guy at #4. If they trade down and get him later, beautiful. But the team has lots of other needs O-LINE SECONDARY O-LINE that make taking Crabtree that high too big a gamble, if committing 5yr/$40m to the best free agent WR hadn’t already.

by lemonverbena on Mar 2, 2009 10:17 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

he might very well grade out as BPA

considering most of those OT’s have question marks and Jenkins is reported as slow. Any of those guys, including Crabtree AND Stafford or Sanchez, are going to be at least somewhat risky picks.

by djafrot on Mar 2, 2009 10:40 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

True.

I don’t think he’s ruled out, but he could be. Most aren’t worried about the foot, the speed, or his ability. The money involved at 1.04 does multiply the risk factor, though. I wouldn’t mind if we still took him, although it’s looking less and less likely by the week.

by Misfit74 on Mar 2, 2009 10:52 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks for posting the receiver ages

I’ve been thinking about this… if you’re looking at the roster for next year, it doesn’t necessarily make a ton of sense to draft Crabtree anymore. But if you’re looking at the roster over a three- or four-year window, you might see a need to balance out the WR depth with a young, awesome player before all the current receivers fall off a cliff simultaneously. Branch and Burly have injury histories, too, so you can’t count on them as much as a healthier receiver at the same age.

There are also potential holes at tackle and quarterback a couple years down the road, so I’m not saying you have to draft Crabtree. But I don’t think you have to instantly rule him out, either. Point is, if he’s the best player available at pick four, then take him. You plan on getting him some time in three-receiver sets for a couple years, then really counting on him in two years when one or two of the vets are no longer effective. In the meantime there’s a great chance he forces his way into the starting lineup. That’s a good problem to have.

by busplunger on Mar 3, 2009 8:54 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Although I realize I sound like a Crabtree homer.

I really think he’s the BPA of this entire draft. All of the o-linemen have question marks and Jason Smith didn’t even grade out this high until the combine, the quarterbacks aren’t that great and are benefiting from a terrible class, no surefire Dline prospect who was considered a top 5 prospect before later hype, etc…I think Crabtree would be a top 5 pick in most any draft, but especially in this one.

Also, I propose a question: If Braylon Edwards declared in this draft, would he be the first WR taken or Crabtree?

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on Mar 3, 2009 9:13 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I think he is among them.

Curry would be hard to pass on for any top-5 picking team. He grades out very well, too.

Good question. I would guess Edwards, because he looked like Crabtree with speed coming out of college. Obviously, that can be torn down, but you get the idea. Edwards is an elite talent, but man those hands. I don’t like his body-catching, either.

by Misfit74 on Mar 3, 2009 10:43 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I don't get the skrill photo

I know a character in Trailer Park Boys used the word Scrilla, and that kid looks like he fits the mold, but he wasn’t a character in that show.

Glad for some Housh excitement. Unexpected.

by Surf Hawk on Mar 2, 2009 11:04 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Dear John Morgan

I find it ironic that in your list of rules, i.e. fallacy of appealing to higher power, that you say that everyone should use LINKS. However, you failed to use any links in this feature post that you published about T.J. Houshmandzadeh. On top of that, how does anyone now you are a credible source? I do not know anything about you, you should include at least a biography about yourself. Thanks.

by Blowin' Up Since 1856 on Mar 2, 2009 11:08 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

What exactly are you complaining about?

Did you want him to provide links talking about the contract details? Because it’s all over ESPN. Or are you complaining about him not linking his analysis of TJ? Because then you are basically asking him to link to someone agreeing with him. Which is pointless (why analyze a player if you can just link to someone who says the exact same thing?). No, more likely you are just trolling because you have a grudge against John. And since I havn’t seen you post around here before, I’m guessing this is a brand new account because your last one got banned. When someone deletes this post, feel free to take mine too because it won’t serve a purpose then. Until then, know you are a VERY obvious troll Blowin’ up. And it’s not appreciated.

by Fear on Mar 2, 2009 11:18 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

It's ok, man

I don’t think this is our unstoppable troll monster from beyond the ban.

Blowin’ Up —The story is linked below in the previous post. I figure that covers it. Truth be told, by the time I posted this, the information was out. No one was really breaking news.

A credible source? I’m not sure what that means. What I say is either factual and logical or it isn’t.

by John Morgan on Mar 3, 2009 9:53 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Haha

No i’m not a troll, just trying to stir up the waters a little bit. By credible source I mean anyone with a known resume (scout, nfl employee, former player, former coach, etc.) that could be deemed credible by whoever is reading your material, because really that’s all that matters I think. If you provided a resume then people could have a better perspective of the “football knowledge” and etc. that you provide. Just a thought…I do need to remember this is a blog after all though…wow I am taking this way too seriously. And NO I do not like Brian Russell! Although his gritty, white, team captain, football i.q. translates to some great results on the field (LOL).

by Blowin' Up Since 1856 on Mar 3, 2009 5:58 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

For the record

John Morgan, I have been following your blog for a while now and you do amaze me with some of you football knowledge and information. I am just trying to get a better feel from where you are coming from in your analysis.

by Blowin' Up Since 1856 on Mar 3, 2009 6:01 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

He used to be the GM for the Lions.

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on Mar 3, 2009 6:11 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Perfect

Now I know he is perfectly qualified. Thanks for the update! Wow Fearless Frog you are really (insert homosexual expletive).

by Blowin' Up Since 1856 on Mar 3, 2009 7:11 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on Mar 3, 2009 7:36 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

He's really Tim Ruskell

What, you didn’t know?

"It's just one big guy against another big guy, both teams know what's at stake. The one of them comes out on top and it feels good."
-Chris Collinsworth, Madden 09

by Wayward Llama on Mar 3, 2009 8:30 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

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